The Blog

Another recent study confirms why women should keep those toothbrushes and dental floss handy! A comprehensive review of women’s health studies by Charlene Krejci, associate clinical professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, has shown a link between women’s health issues and gum disease. Across the ages, hormonal changes take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and …

Do you really want to avoid cavities in your teeth and preserve a beautiful smile? Try massaging them with a high-fluoride toothpaste after lunch. “Rubbing toothpaste onto your teeth increases the fluoride protection by 400%,” says Anna Nordström, dentist, PhD and researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Eight years ago a new brand of toothpaste …

A novel bacterium, thought to be a common inhabitant of the oral cavity, has the potential to cause serious disease if it enters the bloodstream, according to a study in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Its identification will allow scientists to work out how it causes disease and evaluate the risk that it poses. The bacterium was …

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice — used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine — that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in ACS’ Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and …

The saliva of people with pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis varies from that of healthy people, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in Gut. Researchers at University of California Los Angeles—led by James J. Farrell, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Digestive Diseases at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA—conducted a three-phase study to measure the …

Nearly 20 million Americans annually visit a dentist but not a general healthcare provider, according to an NYU study published in the American Journal of Public Health.  The study, conducted by a nursing-dental research team at NYU, is the first of its kind to determine the proportion of Americans who are seen annually by a dentist but not by a …

Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study from Taiwan presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011.  Among more than 100,000 people, those who had their teeth scraped and cleaned (tooth scaling) by a dentist or dental hygienist had a 24 percent lower risk of heart attack and 13 percent lower risk …

Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of plastic trays called aligners.  Invisalign treatment has grown in popularity over the past few years and has been used to treat over a million patients.  Many potential patients are drawn to the treatment for esthetic reasons; however, Invisalign offers several other great benefits that make it a …

New research from the University of Kent suggests that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialised nations is due to their soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth. The research, which was conducted by Dr Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel from the University’s School of Anthropology …

A mouthwash concocted by a UCLA microbiologist may render cavities and tooth decay a thing of the past. The innovation developed by Wenyuan Shi, chairman of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s oral biology section, acts as a sort of “smart bomb” against harmful bacteria like, S. mutans, a main cause of cavities and tooth decay. Wenyuan Shi(credit:UCLA)  “With this new …

An important new study from the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics at USC has confirmed cytomegalovirus  (CMV) as a cause of the most common salivary gland cancers. CMV joins a group of fewer than 10 identified oncoviruses – cancer-causing viruses – including HPV. The findings, published online in the journal Experimental and Molecular Pathology over the weekend, are the latest in …

In a report on a preclinical investigation titled “Flagellin Enhances Saliva Ig A Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine,” lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA …

For many dental implant patients, restoring facial volume can be as critical as the dental restoration for optimizing cosmetic outcomes.  In a workshop at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, Pankaj Singh, DDS urged attendees to pay close attention to facial structures and consider using Botox and dermal filler agents for patients who need facial …

Bad teeth can pose more of a health problem to a person than just an aesthetics problem.   More and more studies indicate that the health of the teeth and gums can affect the health of the whole body, and inflamed gums (periodontitis) can especially negatively affect the health of the whole body.   The chronic inflammation weakens the immune system, and …

It’s almost Halloween.  As each October creeps up on Cindy Flanagan, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD), her mind always wanders to the amount of sweets both children and adults will be consuming during the last few months of the year.   “Too many sweets can cause a spooky mouth,” says Dr. Flanagan. “People have the tendency …

Dental students in a Seattle study had very high rates of colonization with MRSA, the drug-resistant strain of staph, raising new questions about the prevalence of the bacteria outside of hospitals in community health care settings. People who are colonized with MRSA carry the bacteria in their nose or on their skin, but they may or may not have signs …

The 2010 House of Delegates resolved to encourage certified dental technicians to attend ADA continuing education seminars, including as presenters. That resolve will be carried out at ADA Annual Session in Las Vegas this month when Dentists and Dental Laboratory Technicians Team Up for Success is presented. The course, created for both dentists and dental laboratory technicians, is scheduled for …

The British Dental Health Foundation released a rather shocking report that may cause many women to step up their oral hygiene routine. The report, released on February 11, 2011, states that women with gum disease and or missing teeth may be up to 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer. Sweden’s Karolinska Institute studied over three thousand patients, ending …

So much more than than a pair of upturned lips, the smile is the most scientifically studied human facial expression. In her new book, Lip Service, Yale psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, PhD, draws on the latest research—in fields from biology to anthropology to computer science—in an effort to shed some light on the happy face. Here, six facts that may …

Leading dental and pharmacy organizations are teaming up to promote oral health and raise public awareness of dry mouth, a side effect commonly caused by taking prescription and over-the-counter medications. More than 500 medications can contribute to oral dryness, including antihistamines (for allergy or asthma), antihypertensive medications (for blood pressure), decongestants, pain medications, diuretics and antidepressants. In its most severe …

Scientists have discovered the tool that bacteria normally found in our mouths use to invade heart tissue, causing a dangerous and sometimes lethal infection of the heart known as endocarditis. The work raises the possibility of creating a screening tool — perhaps a swab of the cheek, or a spit test — to gauge a dental patient’s vulnerability to the …

Have you thought about chipped teeth, drooling, gum damage, nerve damage, taste loss, tooth loss or infection? The problems that can arise from an oral piercing might surprise you. Fractured teeth are a common problem for people with tongue piercings. People chip teeth on tongue piercings while eating, sleeping, talking and chewing on the jewelry. The fracture can be confined …

A new study in the Journal of Dental Research finds bone fluoride levels are not associated with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer more prevalent in males. A team of researchers from Harvard University, the Medical College of Georgia and the National Cancer Institute analyzed hundreds of bone samples from nine hospitals over an eight year period from patients with osteosarcoma …

In a study, Identification of Unrecognized Diabetes and Pre-diabetes in a Dental Setting, published in the July 2011 issue of the Journal of Dental Research, researchers at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that dental visits represented a chance to intervene in the diabetes epidemic by identifying individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes who are unaware of their condition. The …

I have listed a few simple steps to help prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease as a reminder to all of our patients. STEP 1.  When normally healthy, pink, and firm gums become red, swollen, and spongy, you have a problem — a problem called gingivitis. If the condition becomes severe enough, it can lead to periodontal disease — a deterioration …

Rotting teeth. Diseased lungs. A corpse of a smoker. Nine new warning labels featuring graphic images that convey the dangers of smoking will be required by the Food and Drug Administration to be on U.S. cigarette packs by 2012. Other images include a man with a tracheotomy smoking and a mother holding a baby with smoke swirling around them. The …

Do you know what’s lurking on your toothbrush? Your toothbrush is loaded with germs, say researchers at England’s University of Manchester. They’ve found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staphylococci (“Staph”) bacteria that cause skin infections. But don’t panic. Your mouth wasn’t exactly sterile to begin …

An interesting article by Pamela Babcock. To make your teeth last a lifetime, don’t do these things.   Teeth are tough — their enamel is the hardest part of the body — but they’re no match for neglect, misuse, or abuse. Here are some surefire ways to find out how vulnerable your teeth are — trust us, you don’t want …

  HUMAN PAPILLOMA  VIRUS  CELL I came across an interesting article by Laura Landro in the Wall Street Journal. A sharp rise in a type of throat cancer among men is increasingly being linked to HPV, the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer in women.  A new study from the National Cancer Institute warns that if recent …

An interesting article by Courtney Hutchison,  ABC News Medical Unit June 2, 2011  The American obsession with dental hygiene has taken an ironic turn over the past decade. In an attempt to have the bright, white, healthy-looking smile of the stars, many consumers are bleaching their teeth into oblivion.  Dentists call this addiction to whitening “bleachorexia,” calling the overbleachers “bleach …

It is known that women are more susceptible to gum disease and associated periodontal problems.  The primary reason for this finding is related to both normal and abnormal hormonal changes that women experience throughout their life.  A few are listed below. Puberty During puberty, an increased level of sex hormones, such as progesterone and possibly estrogen, causes increased blood circulation …

Nurses who care for elderly patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for these special patients, thanks to a pilot study by a team of nurses.  “Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease,” said Rita A. Jablonski.  According to Jablonski, assistant professor of nursing, Penn State, persons with …

Reports Suggest Overuse of Fixodent and Older Version of Poligrip May Cause Nerve Damage: By Daniel J. DeNoonWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD   Feb. 15, 2011 — Many cases of mysterious nerve damage turn out to be caused by overuse of popular denture products, an increasing number of reports suggests. The culprit: zinc in Fixodent, from Procter & Gamble, and …

Postmenopausal women have a new health message to hear. Two annual dental checkups aren’t enough. Older women need more, according to research findings from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic.  That message comes from a comparison study of women on and off bone-strengthening bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis.  Leena Palomo, assistant professor of periodontics …

Using a bone-creating protein to augment the maxillary sinus could improve dental implant success, according to Georgia Health Sciences University researchers.  Dental implants, screws that anchor permanent prosthetic teeth, won’t work if the bone in which they are anchored is too thin. Bone-thinning is a common cause and consequence following tooth loss. The current favored solution is to supplement the …

I came across a very interesting study the other day which has important implications for the dental profession.  Forteo, a drug marketed to grow bone in osteoporosis patients, also works to heal bone wounds in gum disease patients, a University of Michigan study suggests.  “This new approach for the treatment of periodontal disease could allow us to rebuild some of …

The other day, the New York Times featured an article entitled “Radiation Worries for Children in Dentist’s Chairs”. The article mainly centers around the increasing use of Cone Beam CT Scans by dentists, including oral surgeons and orthodontists, to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of common dental problems in children such as malocclusion and impacted teeth. …

It is well known that oral infection progressively destroys periodontal tissues and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. A major goal of periodontal treatment is regeneration of the tissues lost to periodontitis. Unfortunately, most current therapies cannot predictably promote repair of tooth-supporting defects. A variety of regenerative approaches for repair of diseased teeth are currently available which …

Halloween can present a very scary time of year for any parent concerned about their child’s oral health, since your kids will probably come home with that big haul of candy from trick or treating. But should you let them immediately gorge themselves on the candy and get it out of their system? Temple University pediatric dentist Mark Helpin thinks …

A new approach to anchor teeth back in the jaw using stem cells has been developed and successfully tested in the laboratory for the first time by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Researchers in UIC’s Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics used stem cells obtained from the periodontal ligament of molars extracted from mice, expanded them in an …

Scientists say they have established one reason why gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. The link between gum and heart problems has long been recognized, but it is unclear if poor oral health is simply a marker of a person’s general well-being. U.K. and Irish experts now say bacteria enter the bloodstream via sore gums and deposit …

The benefits of fluoridated water for the prevention of tooth decay in children have been well-documented for decades. An interesting new study also suggests that use of fluoride as a child is related to a lower incidence of tooth loss in the adult years. In an article appearing in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health, Matthew …

NYU dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease in healthy individuals as well as in those who already are cognitively impaired. The NYU study offers fresh evidence that gum inflammation may contribute to brain inflammation, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease. The research team, led by …

A technique pioneered in the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory of Dr. Jeremy Mao, the Edward V. Zegarelli Professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, can orchestrate stem cells to migrate to a three-dimensional scaffold infused with growth factor, holding the translational potential to yield an anatomically correct tooth in as soon as nine weeks once implanted. …

Science daily 2010-05-08 —-The stage for osteoporosis is set well before menopause — but exercise can help rewrite the script, according to researchers. They hypothesize that higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone decrease bone mineral density by influencing the production of cytokines.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426105643.htm

My partner, Giovanni Castellucci, and I have been treating periodontal disease in our periodontal practice for over 29 years. Every day, we see an ever increasing amount of requests from our restorative colleagues and patients from Boston, Newton, Framingham, and the surrounding metrowest communities for Laser Periodontal Treatment as an alternative to more conventional surgical modalities. Dental lasers have been …

Modern dentistry has eliminated much of the “ouch!” from getting a shot of local anesthetic. Now a new discovery may replace the needle used to give local anesthetic in the dentist’s chair for many procedures. Scientists are reporting evidence that a common local anesthetic, when administered to the nose as nose drops or a nasal spray, travels through the main …

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center report initial results from a small sample that inflammation from gum disease and prostate problems just might be linked. They discuss their new evidence in the Journal of Periodontology. The researchers compared two markers: the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) used to measure inflammation levels in …

Researchers at Rice University, the University of Texas Health Science Centers at Houston and San Antonio and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that gently applying a brush to a lesion on the tongue or cheek can help detect oral cancer with success rates comparable to more invasive techniques, according to preliminary studies. The test that …

Esterified hyaluronic acid for use as a bone grafting material in periodiontal defects and also to regenerate bone for implant placement and stabilization. Int.J Periodontics Resorative Dent. 2009; 29:315-323, produced by Fidia Advanced Biopolymers Srl in Italy, more info at www.Fidiapharma.com. An interesting concept using a polymer of polysaccaharide which is the principal component of the extra-cellular matrix which is …

People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers writing in BioMed Central’s open access journal Head & Face Medicine studied the causes of ‘sleep bruxism’, gnashing teeth during the night, finding that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by …

Several genes affect tooth development in the first year of life, according to the findings of a study conducted at Imperial College London, the University of Bristol in the UK and the University of Oulu in Finland. The research, published February 26 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, shows that the teeth of babies with certain genetic variants tend to …

A multidisciplinary group of investigators from the UCLA School of Dentistry, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA School of Public Health and UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated the usefulness of salivary diagnostics in the effort to find and fight the disease. Their results are published by the journal Gastroenterology. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most …

Having received my dental education at Boston University Goldman School of Dentistry in the early 1980’s from some of the finest academicians and clinicians, the foundation of my periodontal specialty training centered around a comprehensive treatment planning approach which I continue to employ every day in clinical practice. Along with disease elimination and control of the etiologic factors, attainment of the classic …

Facebook, the world’s premier social network for the general public, turned six the other day. The growth has been astounding with over 400 million registered members. If Facebook were a country, it would have the third largest population in the world behind China and India! WebDental continues to grow at a steady pace as members of the dental profession embrace …

I am currently attending the Yankee Dental Congress in Boston. Many of my dental colleagues have expressed disappointment with other dental social networks because members can oftentimes become a bit “unruly” with their comments and blog posts. It is truly exhilarating to be a part of a community that is dedicated to professionalism and integrity as members share and communicate …

Plasma jets could offer a painless alternative to dentists’ drills, according to German researchers. The study is in the February issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology. Plasmas are known as the fourth state of matter after solids, liquids and gases and have an increasing number of technical and medical applications. Plasmas are common everywhere in the cosmos, and are …

Hats off to Henry Schein. In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, and its supplier partners have earmarked $1 million in life-saving medical supplies to partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are providing relief. Within hours of the …

One of our members brought the following story from the BBC to my attention. Scientists in Italy have developed a way of turning rattan wood into bone that is almost identical to the human tissue. The team is lead by Dr Anna Tampieri. “It’s proving very promising” she says. “This new bone material is strong, so it can take heavy …

With the emergence and growth of CAD/CAM dentistry and fabrication of simple in-office dental restorations, one might regard this as a threat to the dental laboratory technician. However, the experience, expertise, knowledge, and guidance provided by the dental lab technician are critical for successful outcomes for our patients, especially for larger, more sophisticated cases. The lab technician remains a vital …

It seems as though we are learning more about the relationship between periodontal disease and Diabetes every day. Information about the link between the two continues to grow as new scientific literature is published. A recent study led by Dr. Sheila Strauss, Associate Professor of Nursing and Co-Director of the Statistics and Data Management Core for NYU’s Colleges of Dentistry …

A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought. In the study, Graham George and colleagues note that amalgam (mercury-based) fillings have been used by dentists to repair teeth for well-over a century. In recent decades their use has become controversial because of …

Our Periodontal Associates study club co-hosted a meeting the other night with Dentsply on the topic of overdentures. The material was expertly presented by Ira Dickerman of Dickerman Dental Prosthetics and Dr. Theo Kapos from Harvard Dental School. In particular, the Ankylos Syncone protocol was reviewed. This seems to be an extremely precise, stable, and cost-effective method for delivery of an …

Kent Coulter and his colleagues at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio have developed a new proof-of-concept dental restorative material under a program funded by the National Institutes of Health that seeks to replace amalgam with other materials. The new fillings are made with a plastic-like material containing zirconia nanoplatelets. Coulter and his colleagues designed a way to make a …

On the eve of Thanksgiving, all dental professionals should be thankful for having the opportunity to “make a difference” and enhance the quality of life for our dental patients on a daily basis. And, our patients should be equally thankful for the healthy teeth that allows them to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal! Congratulations to all of you. Wishing you a …

One day in medical clinics, the big picture of a patient’s state of health may be found in little pictures from the mouth, says Li Mao, MD, a new professor at the University of Maryland Dental School. The mouth or oral cavity area is an excellent indicator of the whole body’s health, says Mao, who is the chair of the …

An American Dental Association survey of dentists reported that a majority of dentist feel that their work level is comfortable. Given the current economic climate and jobless claims exceeding 10% on a national level, I wonder if those dentists would respond in the same way today. Comments?

Oral biologists formulated a mint that fights cavities with an ingredient called Cavistat. Cavistat contains two main components that protect the teeth. First, the amino acid arginine metabolizes certain bacteria, which neutralizes the acid generated by sugars. This raises the pH to help prevent damage to teeth. Cavistat also introduces other chemical compounds that protect against the dissolving of the …

A new study looks at the highly sophisticated structure of teeth and how this structure could be applied to aircraft and space vehicles of the future. It’s been a mystery: how can our teeth withstand such an enormous amount of pressure, over many years, when tooth enamel is only about as strong as glass? Professor Herzl Chai of Tel Aviv …

Scientist and Professor Meital Zilberman of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering has developed a new biologically active “scaffold” made from soluble fibers, which may help humans replace lost or missing bone. The invention, which does not yet have a name, could be used to restore missing bone in a limb lost in an accident, or repair receded jawbones …

“White wine rots your teeth… and brushing makes it worse,” claimed the Daily Mail today, a British newspaper. This statement was based on a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Research. According to the study, dental erosion from red wine is not as severe. ‘The tradition of enjoying different cheeses for dessert or in combination with drinking wine might …

Low-income kids continue to have difficulty getting proper dental care through Medicaid according to the Government Accountability Office. Some of you may remember the tragic case of a twelve year old boy who died in 2007 because of a brain infection which originated from an untreated dental abscess. Investigators determined that many people, including children, simply do not take advantage …

Researchers in China have hypothesized that third molar tooth buds could be harvested during development and later used to replace missing teeth in the future. Could this mean the end of dental implant treatment? The dental implant manufacturers probably have nothing to worry about anytime soon. Time will tell. Comments? image from www.curetoothdecay.com

Congratulations on 150 Years! The American Dental Association turned 150 years old this year, and it’s in very good health for its age. With 157,000 members, the ADA represents more than 70 percent of U.S. dentists, making it the world’s largest and oldest national dental association—America’s leading advocate for oral health. It’s hard to believe that the ADA has been …

Perhaps you have heard about this amazing procedure which recently helped a Miami woman regain her lost eyesight. A prosthetic lens was inserted into a tooth that was removed from the patient, and then implanted into the eye. The surgical technique, modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (MOOKP), has proven effective in cases where severe corneal scarring blocks vision, but the eye remains …

One of the newest treatments on the frontier of cosmetic dentistry is Juvederm and Restylane. These are injectable fillers that can create fullness in the lips,as well as to eliminate “smiles lines”. We have all been taught that the lips are the frame for the smile, and the teeth represent the “artwork”. An increasing number of restorative dentists have embraced …

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) said times have changed and patients should forego prolonged dental heroics to save failing teeth and replace them with long-lasting dental implants. “There really is no justification for undergoing multiple endodontic or periodontic procedures, and enduring the pain and financial burden, to save a diseased tooth,” said John Minichetti, DDS, speaking for the …

EXPLOTATION or COMEDY? Interesting video post by Jamie. Even more interesting that the parents posted this and that it has been viewed over 23 million times on You Tube. For those of us in the profession, it might be seen as expoitation. To the rest of the world, it is obviously seen as comedy. Perhaps it is difficult for us …